Ben Hubbert, co-owner of Champion AC, is a former member of Special Operations in the Air Force, who's now committed to helping San Antonio reduce our community's demands on the energy grid. Visit championac.com or twitter.com/championac or call (210) 699-0022 for more information.

Note: This is an mySA.com City Brights Blog. These blogs are not written or edited by mySA or the San Antonio Express-News. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

New First-Come, First-Serve Rebate from Texas

You may have heard the radio ads about a new appliance rebate that’s starting December 20th, a week from today. It’s totally true – and a great deal that’s not going to last long.

Here’s the back-story. The state received a certain amount of stimulus money for rebates to help people buy more energy-efficient equipment in their homes. Texas had money left over from the initial program in April, so it’s starting this second wave of rebates next Monday.

Rebates are available on a first-come, first-serve basis on everything from new AC units to water heaters to washers and dishwashers. Here’s the complete list in a chart, courtesy of the Comptroller’s office.

For instance, if someone buys a new AC unit that qualifies, you get $1,000 back from the state as part of this rebate. You’d also get $75 for recycling your old unit with a registered partner. On top of those rebates, you’re eligible for a $1,500 federal tax credit (an offer that expires December 31st) and up to an $800 in rebates from CPS Energy (which also expires on December 31st.

Refrigerators are eligible for up to $250 in rebates from the state, washers up to $175 and so on.

But here’s the deal. This new rebate offer from the state starts on Monday – and will go until the money runs out. That means the earlier you get your forms postmarked and off to the state, the better chance you have of getting the rebate. Many businesses are bracing for a crush of calls since this might be the last rebate offer associated with stimulus money.